Upper Berbice River man sentenced to 18 years for murder of friend

A male from the Upper Berbice River was on Thursday sentenced to a term of 18 years of imprisonment for the murder of his friend.

Maxton Walker, a tractor operator residing in Hururu Mission, appeared before Justice Simone Morris at the Berbice High Court.

It is alleged that on March 18, 2024, at 7 Mile, Hururu Mission, Upper Berbice River, Walker murdered Marcus Adrian.

According to police reports, Adrian and Walker have been well-acquainted since their youth and previously collaborated in logging activities. Investigations further reveal that both individuals were consuming High Wine, Guinness, and Turbo and were reportedly intoxicated. A misunderstanding ensued during which Walker allegedly threw Adrian to the ground and caused multiple lacerations to his neck and face. Subsequently, Adrian attempted to escape but collapsed along the trail.

Walker was apprehended by the Toshao and subsequently handed over to law enforcement authorities. The deceased’s body, found lying on the Hururu Trail in a pool of blood with twenty-three incised wounds, was transported to the Linden Hospital Complex.

Upon the reading of the charge to Walker, he entered a guilty plea.

Under Guyanese law, Walker is entitled to a trial by jury on the charge in the indictment for murder. During such a trial, he would be presumed innocent, and it would be the jury’s responsibility to establish his guilt beyond a reasonable doubt through presentation of evidence. However, following his guilty plea, Walker waives his right to a jury trial.

During the sentencing hearing, State Prosecutor Marisa Edwards informed the court that Adrian suffered twenty-three incised wounds, including thirteen to the neck area above the Adam’s apple. She argued that a dangerous weapon was employed and characterized the killing as intentional and unwarranted.

While delivering the sentence on Thursday, Justice Morris described the killing as senseless, noting that the two men had reportedly been drinking together moments before the incident.

Justice Morris initially sentenced him to twenty-seven years. However, the Judge deducted one-third of the sentence due to the guilty plea, reducing the term to eighteen years of imprisonment.

While acknowledging that the aggravating and mitigating factors were balanced, the judge stated that no further adjustment to the sentence was warranted.

Justice Morris indicated that Walker will become eligible for parole after serving fifteen years.

Walker was represented by Attorney-at-law Charlyn Artiga.